THE COAST Guard District Southeastern Mindanao (CGDSEM) has officially formed two separate investigating bodies to probe the sinking of MBCA Amejara, focusing on both safety protocols and potential criminal liabilities.
CGDSEM commander Commodore Philipps Soria revealed on Friday that the orders were signed as early as Jan. 20, 2026, to ensure a comprehensive look at the maritime tragedy.
The investigation is divided into two specialized teams to ensure all legal and safety bases are covered:
- Marine Casualty Investigation (MCI) Team: A five-member panel focused on “liability attribution” and safety recommendations. Their goal is to determine the actual causes of the accident to prevent future occurrences.
- Incident Investigation Team (IIT): A seven-member team, including legal experts and specialized units. This group is tasked with determining the administrative and criminal liability of the vessel’s owner, operator, and crew.
“Our two teams are ongoing in their investigation… hopefully, after we have terminated our search and rescue operations, we will be able to release the results,” Soria said, noting that he expects a report within one week after the SAR operations conclude.
The investigation focuses on why the vessel was outside its authorized jurisdiction.
Investigations confirmed that MBCA Amejara is registered only as a daytime passenger motorbanca for tourism, with a franchise limited to routes between Davao City and the Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) .
The vessel reportedly capsized in a location far outside this designated zone and during evening hours. “The franchise given by MARINA to Amejara is from Davao to Samal,” Soria clarified. “We are investigating why the vessel went [where it did] when it is not included in the franchise.”
8 personnel relieved
The investigation already resulted in the relief of eight Coast Guard personnel.
Soria disclosed that while the crew of the MBCA Amejara sought permission to sail, Coast Guard officers refused to sign the permits due to “inconsistencies in their route” and other documentary deficiencies.
Despite the lack of an official signature and clearance, the vessel was still able to depart the port.
“If you have not been given permission by the Coast Guard, you are not allowed [to sail],” Soria emphasized. “The investigation will determine what happened and why they were allowed to leave when our personnel had already seen deficiencies in their documents.”
